RANGITAIKI TO THE FORE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 292, 7 April 1941, Page 5

RANGITAIKI TO THE FORE

Saturday was Edgecumbe's •red letter day when approxi,- » mately a thousand people attended the Sports Gala heldl ort the recreation ground, in the interest of the Rangitaiki District Patriotic Committee's drive for funds. The event was a splendid success, the centres involved Edgecumbe, Awakeri, Te Teko, Thornton and Otakiri, '•combining in a manner which, was wholly praiseworthy, in order that the maximum figure -should be realised. The comprehensive programme was carried out in detail without a 'hitch and steward's and officials are to be warmly congratulated l . . We have ' pleasure also in cx-f rtending special commendations .to the chairman of the committee, Mr lan Gow, and his hard working secretary, Mr F. JPatience. Hundreds of Cars./^ From 10 a.m. there was a coin tinuous stream of vehicles to tlie grounds, the parking arrangements presenting something of a task in themselves. The programme commenced with the flat events and though the morn ing -was busy enough, it was not till ■early afternoon that proceedings Teached their apex. The Caledonian Society's Pipe Band after supplying the music for the Home Guard march past, Tendered selections on the ground ; and later gave a marching display ivhich proved most popular with the crowd* The loud speaker in the capable ■control of Mr M. W. G. Claris,, kept up a running commentary, though there were several audible boos when among other things, at 4 p.m. all 'cow cockies' werewarn,ed to report to their cows forthwith. On the Grounds. A refreshment stall staffed by district ladies also did brisk business throughout the day, while the competition booths found an everready stream of customers.

The crowd was in real holiday mood and in spite of the fact that : all events were post entry, there was always a plentiful supply of • contestants. The final event, 'Tossing the Sheaf took a lot of deciding, and after Taute Edwards and other doughty pitch-men had retired. Messrs Max Hunt and Dick McDonald faced each other. However, muscles and thews ol the Rangitaiki ■ skied the sheaf a clear two foot higher than the bar at its limit and r lt was when the weight of the sheaf Avas doubled that both decided that sky was not the limit and a draw was declared. Clay Bird Shoot. This feature was promoted and staged by the Te Teko Gun Club, which donated the cost of the birds (£2 19s) and supplied the necessary -officers. The event was particularly popular and drew a large crowd of onlookers. There were seven events of which drew excellent en-x-tries. Trophies had been kindly donated by the. following Messrs J. Plamus„ D. McDonald, R. Glen, R. TBaskett and Mrs D. McDonald. The winners were: — Novice Shoot: C. A. Haultain 1. Eye-Opener: C. McCracken, C. Eivers, and L. Anderson (tied with possible). Trophy Shoot (1): W. Semmens 1. (2): C. McCracken 1. (3): C. Haultain 1. Sweepstake (1): H. Mexted 1. (2): D. McDonald 1. . Highland Section. * — Popular and colourful was the Highland section the entries being fair in spite of the fact that the young dancers w r ere all local with one exception. The standard was jg.. pleasing, particularly in the junior • classes where some took the boards for the first time. Mrs F. Berry, of Whakatane, acted as judge with TMiss Radcliffe as steward. The awards went tor-

Highland Fling (lOyrs and under): Lesley Bell- 1. (14yrs and under): "Betty Flavel 1. (Open): Isobel Mar- , -tin 1.

SPORTS GALA AT EDGECUMBE DISTRICT PATRIOTIC FUND THOUSAND PEOPLE ATTEND

Sword Dance (lOyrs and under): Ann Prater 1. (llyrs and under): Betty Hill 1. (Open); Betty Hill 1. Winners of the various competitions were as under:— Flat Events. Boys (7 years and under): Alan Delaliunty 1, Graham Bell 2. Girls (7 years and under): Lorraine Park 1, Daphne Tyson 2. 100 yds (Men's): A. McCracken 1, L. McCready 2. (Ladies): Miss C. Mextcd 1, Betty Chalmers 2. School Relay Races (Boys 14 and under): Edgecumbe 1. (Girls 14 years and under) •: Awakeri 1. (Boys 10 years and under): Awakeri 1, Otakiri 2i. (Girls 10 years and under): Awakeri 1, Otakiri 2. Field Events. Long Jump: A. McCracken (17ft liy 2 in) 1. Putting the Shot: M. Eruera (29ft 7in) 1. High Jump: J. H. Jamieson 1. High Jump (ladies): Miss J. Law 1 Tossing the Sheaf: M. Hunt and D. McDonald (tie) 22ft. Tug-o-war (Home Guardsmen): Te Teko and Ruatoki (tie). Novelty Events. Hop, Step and Jump: J. H. Jamieson 1. Slow Cycle Race (boys): L. Grey I B. Chalmers 2. Slow Cycle Race (girls): M. Terry 1. Betty Chalmers 2. Obstacle Race (boys under 14): Neil Ferguson 1, M. Matcliitt 2. Obstacle Race (boys under 10): Greg Grey 1, B. Chalmers 2. Obstacle Race Men: I. McAulay 1. Pillow Fight (boys): Wm Charlie 1, D. Pry or 2. (Men)-: Taute Ed- 1 wards 1. Greasy Pig: J. Ratahi and L. Simpson. Nail Driving (Men): D. McDonald 1. (Ladies): Miss D. Taylor 1. Stepping the Chain: Ken Colebrook 1. Weight Guessing (Lamb): Miss V. Mullon (841b). (Pig): Miss V. Million, W. Graham and A. Dysart (a tie) 1701 bs.